Gezicht op de binnenplaats van het Palazzo Farnese te Rome 1860 - 1881

Giacomo Brogi made this albumen print of the Palazzo Farnese in Rome sometime in the late 19th century. Photography at this time relied on meticulously crafting images through darkroom processes. This particular print, rendered in a sepia tone, was achieved by coating paper with egg white and then using silver nitrate to create a light-sensitive surface. The tones that emerge speak to the material alchemy involved, which in turn was enabled by the rise of industrial chemistry. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, Brogi's photograph offers insight into the labor involved in the creation and maintenance of aristocratic spaces. It is not just a visual document but also a material artifact, imbued with the social and economic conditions of its time. Considering the materials and processes used in photography alongside the structures they capture challenges traditional distinctions between fine art, craft, and the broader socio-economic context.